EDITOR’S LETTER

THIS MONTH SEES the Australian women’s national soccer team kick off at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. Whether you’re an avid football fan or not, you won’t want to miss cheering Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! (what else?) as the Matildas take on Italy, Brazil and Jamaica. In fact, your support is paramount. The games will inevitably play out against a conversation around sexism in sport in the wake of 28 members of the US women’s national team — the reigning World Cup champions — suing their governing body, US Soccer Federation, for “institutionalised gender discrimination”. We caught up with Matildas captain Samantha Kerr just days after the news broke at the launch of the Nike World Cup kit. Wise beyond her 25 years, she tells us (p60) that the key for women to succeed, in sport and in life, is to “empower each other, be kind and help one another”.

Bravery, resilience and determination are common themes throughout this issue. We look at modern ways to succeed, and fail spectacularly, in the workplace in 2019 (p77). Cover star Michelle Williams shares how she has managed to rise above the noise (social media included) and carve out a career entirely on her own terms (p110). Journalist and girl gamer Noelle Faulkner takes a deep dive into the virtual world of gaming where females are fighting back against a culture of trolling and abuse (p64). And Paula Benmayor shares her heartbreaking story of her baby’s stillbirth at 38 weeks into her pregnancy (p58). Taking control of her narrative, Paula is now committed to changing the way we talk about the tragic health issue – true testament to what the human spirit can overcome.

This month also welcomes the arrival of winter. But before you groan and reach for the grey flannel, take a trip through our fashion pages. There is so much to be excited about when it comes to dressing for the cooler weather: bold checks, bright colour, clever layers and the must-have slouchy boot that we’ve been workshopping in the office for weeks and have decided is the single most important shoe purchase of the season (see p34). And the strong statements don’t stop at the feet. A vibrant palette of paintbox colours has us smashing tired makeup rules and mixing reds, yellows and blues with playful resolve.

So go forth and conquer! I hope you’ll be inspired to face life with renewed courage, or help someone else to, in the following pages. As 19-year-old Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter says of her captain: “Sam encourages us to play freely, to be confident — to have no fear.” The team’s motto? “Never say die.”